Parenting expert Jo Frost, known as Supernanny, has identified what she believes is a major mistake many parents make with their children: using iPads as a treat. In a recent TikTok video, Frost responded to a comment from a mother who said her toddlers play outside all day and then get iPad time as a reward, calling this approach one of the 'biggest problems' parents face today.
Frost argued that when parents treat screen time as a special reward, children learn to value it above other activities. 'When you see the iPad as a treat and the one thing that seems the best over all others, your children will see it as that, too,' she said. 'And what should be the best becomes the boring.' She emphasised that activities like playing outside, reading, and colouring should be seen as normal and equally rewarding, rather than being overshadowed by technology.
The parenting guru warned that putting technology on a pedestal undervalues meaningful childhood experiences that aid development, such as learning new words, improving motor skills, and fostering creativity. She urged parents to fill toddlers' days with curiosity and exploration, promoting active play over sedentary screen time.
Frost's comments sparked debate among viewers. Some agreed wholeheartedly, with one commenter vowing never to give their child an iPad, while another said they would refuse to raise 'iPad kids'. However, others criticised her views as outdated, suggesting her advice is stuck in the early 2000s and not relevant to modern parenting.
This is not the first time Frost has spoken out against children's access to technology. She has previously called for a ban on social media for under-16s, describing 'big tech' as a 'public health crisis' that robs children of their childhood. She urged parents to act quickly to protect young people, warning that children are being placed in digital arenas before their identities have formed.
